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Wang Chao's demeanor was calm, devoid of any killing intent or indifference.
His gaze was composed and serene, simply observing Zhang Jian without displaying any trace of emotion. It was as if an ordinary superior was having a conversation with an ordinary security guard.
However, despite this seemingly tranquil behavior, Zhang Jian felt an immense increase in pressure. His heart raced, and cold sweat dripped from his forehead.
Feeling guilty, Zhang Jian couldn't bring himself to meet Wang Chao's eyes. He lowered his head and stammered, "Minister Wang, I... I don't understand what you mean."
Wang Chao observed Zhang Jian's reaction and remained unperturbed, continuing to drink his tea. He poured some tea for Zhang Jian as well and said calmly, "Are you sure you don't want to speak? If I were to say it, the consequences might be..."
He trailed off without finishing his sentence.
Plop!
Unable to bear the weight of the silence any longer, Zhang Jian's spirit collapsed. He trembled all over, fell to his knees, and begged while crying, "Minister Wang, I was wrong, I truly was. I beg you to spare me and let me go."
"In what way were you wrong?" Wang Chao asked, still maintaining his calm demeanor.
"I, like Zhou Hong, was planted by Shen Dongshan as an undercover agent in the Security Department. I was responsible for monitoring your every move. I was wrong to collaborate with Shen Dongshan. I... I deserve to die."
"But I swear, I absolutely haven't done anything harmful to you."
Zhang Jian was in a state of extreme terror, his words becoming incoherent.
Suddenly, Wang Chao realized the truth.
So Shen Dongshan had planted so many undercover agents in the Security Department. No wonder he could keep track of their every move.
In reality, he had no idea that Zhang Jian was an undercover agent.
It was only during his feigned death that he caught a glimpse of Zhang Jian playing with his phone.
The department head had died, yet Zhang Jian had the leisure to play with his phone. There was definitely something suspicious about that!
That's why he called Zhang Jian in, to apply pressure and make Zhang Jian reveal the truth.
"Are you sure you haven't done anything to betray me?" Wang Chao's tone turned cold, and his gaze became sharp as a knife, coldly staring at Zhang Jian.
In an instant, Zhang Jian felt an immense surge of pressure. Cold sweat once again streamed down his forehead, and he quickly raised his hand, swearing, "Minister Wang, I swear on my life that I haven't done anything to betray you."
"I... I've only been reporting your whereabouts to Vice President Shen. I never had any intention of harming you."
"I... I truly haven't done anything."
"Please, I beg you, spare me."
He was filled with indescribable terror, pleading for mercy with a mournful voice.
News about the Danfeng Group spread quickly, and even though he was just a security guard, Zhang Jian received the news of Shen Dongshan's dismissal and injury firsthand.
This meant that Shen Dongshan had suffered a crushing defeat in this struggle.
Confronted with Wang Chao's pressure, Zhang Jian immediately revealed everything he knew.
Drinking his tea, Wang Chao listened to Zhang Jian's words, furrowing his brow slightly. Then he said calmly, "Don't worry, I won't do anything to you."
"However, being a spy under my nose comes with a price."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtAfter speaking, he suddenly struck out, his palm crashing into Zhang Jian's chest.
Zhang Jian trembled, feeling as if something was flowing out of his body. A faint stream of air escaped through his ears and nostrils.
However, he didn't feel the slightest bit of pain. It was as if he had never been struck, as if he hadn't suffered any injury at all.
"While you haven't betrayed me, you were never truly on my side. Therefore, the internal cultivation technique I taught you can no longer be used."
Wang Chao set down his teacup and said calmly, "With this strike, I simply dissipated the internal energy you had accumulated, preventing you from practicing the internal cultivation technique in the future."
"However, it won't affect your daily life and physical abilities."
"I won't make things difficult for you. After we leave here, you can resign on your own."
Zhang Jian felt as if he had been granted amnesty and quickly kowtowed, saying, "Thank you, Minister Wang. Thank you, Minister Wang. I'll resign immediately."
After speaking, he hurriedly stood up, turned, and left.
Wang Chao didn't pursue his responsibility, instead allowing him to resign on his own. This preserved Zhang Jian's dignity to the greatest extent.
Wang Chao watched Zhang Jian's departing figure with profound eyes.
Although Shen Dongshan had been dismissed and injured, and could no longer appear before him and Shen Bing, Wang Chao couldn't shake off the feeling that he had overlooked something, that some detail had been missed.
"What could it be?" Wang Chao frowned.
He pondered while sipping his tea, his eyes gradually lighting up. He tapped the table and muttered softly, "I see, I neglected the most important question: Shen Tianhuan!"
Shen Tianhuan, who was able to carve a bloody path in the rising Canton City and elevate the Shen family to the ranks of first-class prominent families, couldn't be so easily defeated by Lafayette.
Yet, in the struggle between Shen Dongshan and Shen Bing, Shen Tianhuan had readily sided with Shen Bing and admitted defeat, which was inconsistent with logic.
"It seems that Old Master Shen still has some cards in hand. This makes things interesting."
Wang Chao set down his teacup, revealing a meaningful smile.
Old Master Shen was truly extraordinary. Even after losing his shares, he remained calm. This indicated that he held enough trump cards to reverse the situation.
"He's obviously biased toward males over females. By hiding his trump cards, he evidently intends to let Shen Bing continue controlling the Shen family and seek benefits for them."
"Perhaps, once the Shen family truly rises and he has complete control, he will still kick Shen Bing aside."
"It seems that I need to find a way to deal with this Old Master."
"To ensure Shen Bing remains in power permanently, the first step is to uncover Shen Tianhuan's trump card."
"What could his trump card be?"
"Has he also planted spies around Shen Bing, or does he still hold more shares?"
Wang Chao slowly sipped his tea, his fingers tapping the tabletop as he contemplated how to uncover Old Master Shen's trump card.
The figures of Zhang Long, Xiao He the secretary, and everyone around Shen Bing flashed through his mind as he investigated them one by one.
However, no matter how much he racked his brains, he couldn't figure out what Shen Tianhuan's trump card, that old fox, could be.
Wang Chao didn't feel any sense of defeat; instead, he found himself even happier. The feeling of being unable to figure out the opponent's trump card excited him.
"Truly an Old Master, cunning and deeply concealed."
"If I were to defeat him by force, it would be too easy."
"But to defeat the old fox with strategy, that would be a true achievement."
After finishing a cup of tea and extinguishing his cigarette, Wang Chao sat on the sofa, closed his eyes, and began brainstorming.
He imagined himself as Shen Tianhuan, standing in Shen Tianhuan's position and contemplating how Shen Tianhuan would act. Why did he initially choose Shen Bing as the CEO and leave?
Before granting power to Shen Bing, what kind of backup plan did Shen Tianhuan leave behind, allowing him to leave without fear of Shen Bing seizing power? Furthermore, how could he remain so composed even when faced with Shen Bing's attempt to seize power?
He pondered for a long time until suddenly he opened his eyes wide, a deep shock appearing in his gaze. He murmured, "No, it can't be."
The best way to control Shen Bing was to threaten her with the person she cared about the most!
Therefore, the best way for Shen Tianhuan to regain control of the shares from Shen Bing was to use Shen Bing's father or brother as leverage!
Shen Bing's brother was already in a vegetative state, receiving treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital. Even if he could be used as a threat, it probably wouldn't be the final measure.
Therefore, Wang Chao concluded that Shen Tianhuan must have information about Shen Bing's father!
Moreover, it was highly likely that Shen Bing's father had been imprisoned by Shen Tianhuan for some reason, and for many years!
The realization left Wang Chao feeling shocked and incredulous.
A father imprisoning his own son and handing over the family's power to his granddaughter? No matter how one thought about it, it was impossible!
However, if this was indeed the truth, it meant that Shen Tianhuan was a truly terrifying demon in human form!
Wang Chao stood up, rubbed his nose, and thought, "Could I be overthinking this? A tiger doesn't eat its own cubs. Shen Tianhuan even tried to save Shen Dongshan. He shouldn't harm his own biological son, right?"
This idea seemed absurd, and even he himself doubted his own thoughts.
However, ever since this idea emerged, it had persisted in his mind, refusing to leave.
The more he thought about it, the more he felt that something was suspicious about Shen Bing's father's disappearance.
He took out his phone and dialed Zhang Long's number, speaking in a deep voice, "Uncle Long, come to my office. I need to discuss something important with you."
About ten minutes later, Zhang Long arrived at Wang Chao's office, looking at him with a puzzled expression. "What's so urgent?"
"I want to know all the information about Chairman Shen's father's disappearance," Wang Chao said.
"Why are you suddenly interested in this?" Zhang Long looked puzzled.
"If I asked, then it must be useful. Hurry up and tell me," Wang Chao uttered sternly.
To be honest, he felt that this was purely speculative and was reluctant to believe in this outcome.
Because if it were true, then Shen Bing had been living under the control of her grandfather, Shen Tianhuan, all along. Despite her seemingly glorious and wealthy position, she had always been just a pawn of Shen Tianhuan.
Such a background was too pitiful!
A nostalgic look appeared in Zhang Long's eyes as he said, "Chairman Bing's father's name is Shen Pengtao. He was a martial arts genius and a business prodigy, exceptionally talented. At a young age, he followed Old Master Shen and made a name for himself."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Later, he met Chairman Bing's mother, and after experiencing a romantic love story, they finally got together."
"In the second year of their marriage, they had Bing Bing, and in the third year, they had Bing Bing's younger brother, Shen Feng."
"They were such a happy family of four."
"But good times didn't last."
At this point, Zhang Long paused, his eyes filled with sorrow as he said, "Later, my sister-in-law was afflicted with a strange illness, a terminal condition. We invited renowned doctors from all over the country and even around the world, but none could cure her."
"What kind of illness?" Wang Chao asked.
Zhang Long sighed and said, "The same illness as Shen Feng, a peculiar brain disease!"
"My elder brother heard some rumors and learned about a herb called Phantom Dark Flower that was said to treat this illness."
"From then on, he went crazy searching for this herb."
"He must have obtained accurate information about the Phantom Dark Flower through certain channels, entrusted Shen Bing and Shen Feng to me, and set off alone to find the herb."
"He's been gone for over twenty years, and he hasn't returned. We don't know if he's alive or dead."
"But from what I know, his chances of survival are slim."
"With my elder brother's absence, my sister-in-law's condition worsened."
"Eventually, she could not hold on until his return and passed away three years ago."
"Soon after, Shen Feng also developed the same brain disease. At that time, Old Master Shen insisted on keeping Shen Feng in the country for treatment, saying that he had already lost one son and could not afford to lose a grandson as well."
"But Bing Bing is a strong-willed person. She defied everyone's objections and sent Xiao Feng abroad, narrowly saving his life."
As Wang Chao listened, he furrowed his brows.
If what Zhang Long uttered was true, then his previous speculation about Shen Tianhuan was incorrect.
With that thought, he let out a long sigh of relief.
As he brewed a new cup of tea and handed it to Zhang Long, he asked, "So, Shen Pengtao and Chairman Shen were searching for the same plant: the Phantom Dark Flower?"
"Yes," Zhang Long confirmed.
Wang Chao furrowed his brows again.
This meant that Shen Bing might have also obtained some information through certain channels. Over the years, she had been searching for the Phantom Dark Flower and looking for information about Shen Pengtao.
Suddenly, he remembered Liang Xiangqing.
Liang Xiangqing had mentioned having accurate information about the Phantom Dark Flower and insisted on collaborating with Shen Bing.
It was highly likely that Liang Xiangqing had learned some kind of clue, which was why he had approached Shen Bing.
After recounting these past events, Zhang Long fell into deep sadness, his eyes filled with tears.
He wiped his tears and looked at Wang Chao with a puzzled expression. "Why are you suddenly asking about this?"
Wang Chao handed him a tissue and said, "Just wanted to understand. Also, I have some news for you. In seven days, Bing Bing and I'll be attending a medical conference in Eagle State."
"At that time, I may accompany her to Massachusetts General Hospital."
Zhang Long's expression changed. "Do you desire to seek treatment for Xiao Feng? Are you confident?"
"It's hard to say for now. I can only be sure once I see the patient."
Wang Chao remained calm and confident as he said, "After hearing your story, I believe there's a 90% chance that I can cure him!"
"However, to ensure everything goes smoothly, you must tell me the most important piece of information: How did your sister-in-law develop this strange illness?"
In Chinese medicine, it was crucial to trace the origins of an illness. Once he knew the root give rise to of the strange illness, he would have a 100% chance of curing Shen Feng's condition!